Chapter 147

Some works need to stand the test of time before they can be accepted by the audience.

Like Stephen Chow's *A Chinese Odyssey*, when it first premiered, both mainland and Xianggang audiences found it noisy and incomprehensible.

Yet only a few years later, it became a classic in many people's hearts and even influenced a generation.

When *The Legend of the Swordsmen of Shu Mountain* first came out, it was also denounced as a trashy film, but only after more than a decade did people realize it had become the pinnacle of xianxia cinema.

*Hero* is no different; with Jiang Heng's previous masterpieces, both audiences and critics have greatly lowered their tolerance for this blockbuster.

Some critics say *Hero* merely imitates *East is East, West is West*, fine‑tuning the plot, atmosphere, supporting cast, and space, and upgrading the action scenes—nothing more.

The film's purpose is to expound a viewpoint, not to tell a good story, which is the biggest difference from Jiang Heng's commercial blockbusters.

Whether Du Huan or Li Xiaoping, they are merely company executives, not founding veterans.

It is said that day Old Chen was so angry he smashed a lot of good things.

Yet many viewers could not stand it, posting short comments on Douban saying, "I paid to see a movie just to have fun, not to listen to you lecture me."

Speaking of which, Jiang Heng heard this and laughed helplessly, really not knowing what he could use to prove it—*Wuji* or *The Legend of the Demon Cat*?

To be honest, he really can't understand why fifth‑generation directors always like to be vague and obscure, producing things that are too refined for popular taste.

But looking at the current box‑office trend, pulling in two or three hundred million would be not bad; it's still the result of many fans flocking to see Jiang Heng's films.

Zhang Weiping felt even more stifled; before the film's release, he thought getting five or six hundred million at the box office would be a sure thing.

For a while, the film's reception was mixed, leaving Zhang Yimou feeling gloomy.

They all went back to write articles, repeatedly dissecting and reworking Jiang Heng's words, producing a piece that, after Thus output: Chen Kaige read it, sent his blood pressure soaring.

And in the cultural circle, the first big name to open fire on *Hero* was Mr. Jin Yong.

Nowadays audiences have been "educated" by all kinds of entertainment programs, so they don't really see anything wrong with it; they're just used to it.

Some media, seeing this, also published plenty of critiques of *Hero*.

Frankly, I like Zhang Yimou's *Red Sorghum* and *Ju Dou* are also good; I dislike *Hero* the most.

These two are both highly capable; having them manage the company saves Jiang Heng a lot of worry.

Giving equity is merely an incentive, since the company's main operating income is all earned by Jiang Heng.

The general manager is Du Huan, who also came from the Beiying Factory; originally, in history he co‑founded Bo Na together with Yu Dong.

Then he went on to say that his *Wuji* balances art and commerce, and so on and so forth.

*The Good Man of the Three Gorges*, *Blind Shaft*, etc., genuinely depict the living conditions of the lower classes.

He also didn't beat around the bush, getting straight to the point: "I've been busy shooting movies and haven't had much time to manage the company; it's always been you two worrying about it. I called you here today to talk about future development."

I'm just a businessman; as long as I make money, why should I care about reputation!

And on the day of the Lantern Festival gala on the fifteenth of the first lunar month, when he arrived at CCTV, Jiang Heng was still blocked by a bunch of reporters.

"Time will tell everything!" Jiang Heng said with a straight face.

As the domestic film and television company with the highest revenue, Outstanding Rising Film Company is now a giant, not a startup.

Upon hearing the answer they wanted, the reporters were thrilled and naturally did not stop pressing for more questions.

Hearing this, both of them had their eyes light up.

They felt the movie was problematic, disliked its theme, thought the film was empty, and did not believe that sacrificing individual lives to achieve collective goals is right.

"Hello, Director Jiang, *Hero* has received mixed reviews since its release. As one of the film's leads and also a renowned commercial‑film director, could you share your thoughts on this movie again?"

In a media interview he once gave, he frankly said he did not like *Hero*.

He thought the film was white‑washing the tyrant Qin Shi Huang, deceiving the audience, and considered it a ridiculously absurd movie.

Such reviews are not few, and they have resonated with many people.

By comparison, some masters are too out of touch with the ground.

It's like some stars who have been away from ordinary people's lives for too long, eating extravagant breakfasts and thinking that sending a few takeout orders will let them live very well in Shanghai.

But no matter what, making money is certain; it's just not as much as Jiang Heng's films earn, so after comforting myself a few times, I came to terms with it.

Jiang Heng can be said to have instantly gotten the idea to invest in artistic films, whereupon he summoned the two bosses of Outstanding Rising Film Company.

The vice president is Li Xiaowan, who in original history was the vice president of Guangchuan Media.

The reporters still weren't giving up: "What do you think of Director Thus output: Chen Kaige? He says you are the 'Lei of Styles' in the director's circle—just a craftsman who can never become a master."

But Jiang Heng keeps a low profile and rarely attends business events, leaving reporters no chance to approach him.

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "That title of master isn't for him to decide; it's what the public acknowledges. Some people may bear the name of master, but if none of their works are accepted by the public, whose master are they really?"

Having said that, he walked straight into the broadcast hall and no longer paid attention to those reporters.

People like them would not be satisfied with just a salary; their willingness to join Outstanding Rising Film Company also shows they favor the company's development.

And they sent out word, letting Jiang Heng see what a true master is.

Du Huan said, "Director Jiang, we've long wanted to have a good talk!"

But Jiang Heng has always been focused on filming, paying no attention to the company's development, which has left the two feeling somewhat discouraged.

Li Xiaoping said, "Director Jiang, you said—I've been waiting a long time!"

Jiang Heng said, "Then let's start with the first goal: going public. I plan to reform the company into a share‑holding system and aim for an IPO around 2006‑07; by then you will each receive some equity."

Moreover, when discussing his view of Jiang Heng's films, Thus output: Chen Kaige's attitude was even more dismissive, believing Jiang Heng is merely a "Lei of Styles" (the Qing imperial architectural master family), only a craftsman in the film industry who, following set patterns, produces flashy, eye‑catching stuff and will never become a master in his lifetime.

Upon hearing the good news, both of them were energized.

The reporters, eager for a scoop and undeterred by trouble, tried every way to interview Jiang Heng, wanting to hear his latest assessment of *Hero* and his attitude toward Thus output: Chen Kaige.

And the second big name to criticize *Hero* was Zhang Yimou's old classmate Thus output: Chen Kaige.

If we really talk about literary pursuits, a certain master's later works are not as touching as "Section Chief Jia's."

His relationship with Du Huan and Li Xiaoping isn't particularly close, so the equity he can give them is not much.

Even so, the two were extremely thrilled, feeling they had finally seen hope.

(End of chapter)